Tie-up with Angkasa to lift revenue of Tun Hussein Onn Eye Hospital

KUALA LUMPUR: Tun Hussein Onn National Eye Hospital aims to increase its revenue next year to RM59 million from RM34 million in 2016 via its partnership with the Malaysian National Cooperative Movement (Angkasa).

THES Capital Sdn Bhd, a member of Tun Hussein Onn hospital, on Friday signed a memorandum of agreement with Angkasa, under which the hospital would provide eye-care services to eight million Angkasa members at a discount of at least 8%.

THES chief executive officer Zaki Mohd Zakaria said the two-year partnership was in line with the hospital's mission to educate Malaysians on the importance of eye care.

He said the hospital would increase the number of doctors, from 16 now to 31.

Angkasa president Datuk Abdul Fattah Abdullah said the cooperative would use some of its budget allocation to conduct campaigns to raise awareness about eye care among members.

"Under the partnership, our members will get an exclusive loyalty card for free, which would allow them to go for eye check-ups as a preventive measure, among other things," he said.

On another note, Abdul Fattah said Angkasa was requesting the Government to consider amending the Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act 1998, to make it easier for relevant cooperatives to get involved in providing healthcare services.

"The Act does not acknowledge cooperatives as business entities, therefore, cooperatives would have to establish a subsidiary if they wish to get involved in healthcare services.

"This would take time and increase cost, and we would usually lose our chance to collaborate," he said, adding that he hoped the Government would consider amending the Act to recognise cooperatives as service entities, making it easier for them to participate in the healthcare sector. - Bernama